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Newswise — Washington, DC—Low levels of 25-OH vitamin D in childhood were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis over 25 years later in adulthood, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

The importance of vitamin D for cardiovascular health has been the focus of increasing interest. Low levels of vitamin D have previously been shown to be related to increased risk of stroke and heart attack. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are highly prevalent among children worldwide, and this study examined the relationship between low childhood vitamin D levels and adult increased carotid intima-thickness (IMT). IMT is a marker of structural atherosclerosis, which correlates with cardiovascular risk factors, and predicts cardiovascular events.

This study analyzed 2,148 subjects from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, aged 3-18 years at baseline. Subjects were re-examined at age 30-45 years. Childhood levels of vitamin D were measured from stored serum. Carotid IMT was measured on the posterior wall of the left carotid artery using ultrasound technology. Study subjects with 25-OH vitamin D levels in the lowest quartile in childhood had a significantly higher prevalence of high-risk IMT as adults (21.9% vs. 12.7%).

“More research is needed to investigate whether low vitamin D levels have a causal role in the development increased carotid artery thickness,” Juonala said. “Nevertheless, our observations highlight the importance of providing children with a diet that includes sufficient vitamin D.”

Other authors of the study include: Atte Voipio, Katja Pahkala, Costan Magnussen, Olli Raitakari, and Jorma Viikari of the University of Turku Finland; David Burgner and Matthew Sabin of Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia; Vera Mikkilä and Eero Jokinen of the University of Helsinki, Finland; Mika Kähönen and Nina Hutri-Kähönen of the University of Tampere, Finland; Antti Jula, Jukka Marniemi, and Britt-Marie Loo of the National Institute for Health and Welfare in Turku, Finland; Leena Taittonen of the University of Oulu in Finland; and Tomi Laitinen of Kuopio University Hospital in Finland.

The study, “Childhood 25-OH Vitamin D Levels and Carotid Intima-media Thickness in Adulthood: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study,” was published online, ahead of print.

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